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Tampa police still investigating Monday's fatal shooting in stolen vehicle pursuit

 
Tampa police investigate the scene after four teenagers, driving a stolen SUV, fled from police and ran into a swamp Monday morning behind First Korean Presbyterian Church on Humphrey Road in Tampa. A police officer fatally shot one of the teens, Kobvey Igbuhay, after wrestling with him in the swamp. [ZACK WITTMAN   |   Times] 
Tampa police investigate the scene after four teenagers, driving a stolen SUV, fled from police and ran into a swamp Monday morning behind First Korean Presbyterian Church on Humphrey Road in Tampa. A police officer fatally shot one of the teens, Kobvey Igbuhay, after wrestling with him in the swamp. [ZACK WITTMAN | Times] 
Published Oct. 28, 2015

TAMPA — The day after a Tampa police officer shot and killed an 18-year-old after a police pursuit of a stolen vehicle, authorities said the three other teens who were in that vehicle — and who also ran from officers — could still face charges.

"We're doing a careful investigation," police spokesman Stephen Hegarty said Tuesday.

The driver of the stolen vehicle who was fatally shot Monday was identified by police as Kobvey Igbuhay. The incident started about 2:30 a.m. when Tampa police pursued the SUV. It led officers to First Korean Presbyterian Church at 4307 W Humphrey St., where police said all four bailed out and ran into the swamp.

The 18-year-old ended up wrestling with Officer Jimmy Houston and his police dog, Titus, in swamp water, according to police. Igbuhay pulled Titus underwater, rendering the dog unconscious, police said, and tried to push the officer underwater. That's when Houston fired, police say.

Two others who were inside the SUV have been identified by police: Dominic Robles and Shakira Rodriguez, both 18. The fourth was a 16-year-old whom police have not named.

After Igbuhay's family learned of his death Monday, his father, Harvey Igbuhay, and family members were invited to Tampa police headquarters. The family said police told them the 18-year-old was shot in the head.

Rodriguez told the Tampa Bay Times via Facebook that she met Kobvey Igbuhay last year and lived with him. Last month, they learned she's pregnant.

"He was so excited to be there for the baby and do everything for him/her and now he can't," Rodriguez wrote. "And now I have to do everything alone."

The SUV was reported stolen Oct. 8, police said. Igbuhay's family said he had been driving the SUV for about a week. Police on Tuesday did not release any more details about the stolen vehicle, including who owned it and who reported it stolen.

Hegarty said that canine unit officers like Houston do not wear body cameras. The department has 60 cameras for its 1,000 officers. It was unclear Tuesday whether any other officers at the shooting were wearing cameras.

Houston has been with the Tampa Police Department for 15 years and is currently with the canine unit. Before working with Titus, Houston worked with a police dog named Riggs. His most recent evaluation from earlier this month praises Houston for his professionalism and knowledge.

Igbuhay was enrolled at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg from 2011 to 2013 and then transferred to Pinellas Park High School during the 2012-13 school year, district records show. In April 2013, he withdrew from the Pinellas County school system.

Times staff writer Chelsea Tatham contributed to this report. Contact Katie Mettler at kmettler@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3446. Follow @kemettler. Contact Michael Majchrowicz at mmajchrowicz@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3374. Follow @mjmajchrowicz.